By GREG WHITE
Candidate for County Council
A recent letter blamed the governor for a lack of helping small businesses to survive forced closing.
The writer tries to simplify what is actually a complex and fast developing situation. And if anyone is to blame for any small businesses failing it’s the president!
China first reported the virus to the world Dec. 31. By Jan. 6, U.S. federal health agencies, including HHS, CDC, FDA and even Trump’s close advisors were warning him of the potential for an epidemic or worse and urging him to take action.
Trump chose to ignore and make up his own facts (aka Fake News). He continued down playing the virus and refusing to take any steps for the next two months until cases exploded in the U.S. Trump still refuses to take basic steps like using the Defense Production Act, or even to allow his administration to attempt to coordinate business responses to switching to try to make needed medical supplies. And worse he continues to make false statements.
As far as Gov. Grisham’s response, her hands are tied in many ways.
One is the constant misunderstanding of the so called “anti donation clause”, which by the simple English reading as well as the history of the act, clearly applies ONLY to the NM Govt. and subdivisions being prohibited to contributing to the building of a railroad. Surprisingly that provision has been constantly broken.
A second is the laws of the state are still in place. This is a health emergency, Not martial law during wartime or rioting. As such the governor has limited funds available to divert to helping businesses as it’s the legislature who decides the budget, not the governor.
A third is obviously the legislature cannot convene in person and as the A.G. said the Open Meetings Act still is in force.
A fourth is the gvernor could try to coordinate getting 112 members of the legislature all on the phone together and pass a new budget. But assuming that could be done without partisan bickering, where do they start cutting and relocating monies? How long is this virus going to last? When if ever will there be a vaccine? How many tax revenue streams are going to decrease and how many increase and by how much? Where is money cut from? Infrastructure? Schools? First Responders? State and local goverment agencies to enforce laws and regulations or pay employees? And so on.
Trump mistakenly believes he’s king and can do anything and break any laws. Gov. Grisham realizes she is not a queen and has limitations.